St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-11-04


ward plane on which they can stand
with any such suggestion. Why, how
obvious it must be that mercy alone re-
mains. The government quite under
stands that. When Rev. Mr.. Blake and
his companions who went to Springfield
to
Plead for the Lives
of the condemned anarchists were
asked by Gov. Oglesby whether their
mission was an appeal for mercy or a
plea for justice, with one accord they
answered that it was emphatically the
latter. If they had considered their
words or understood what must be Gov.
Oglesby's sole relation to the case they
would have answered differently. The
governor may season justice with
mercy. He cannot administer it. His
Office is executive, not judicial. In the
exercise of the power vested in him by
the constitution he may show clemency
by communication or pardon. He cannot
reverse or set aside the Judgment in the
case against Spies and his associates.
With the refusal of the supreme court
Of the United States to grant a writ of
error the justice of the conviction, ae-
cording to constitution and laws of
this state and nation, stands affirmed.
With Jealous care not to deprive the
condemned men of any right guaranteed
to the lOwlicst citizen under the cOnsti-
tItioD, the
Entire Supreme Bench
heard and considered their prayer.
Unanimously it found that there was
no error against federal justice in their
trial. There was not dissenting voice
in the supreme court of the United
States. as there had not been a dissent
ing voice i'll the supreme court of Hi
nOiS. The verdict rendered in Judge
! Gary'S court, therefore, stands impreg-
nable as the decree of American justice
against the convicted anarchists. What
plea have they now TO offer why Gov.
Oglesby should extend to them the
clemency of the people of Illinois,
against whose peace and supremacy
they plotted and did murder? The
question is too grave one to be ar-
swered by the old denunciatiOns of the
law and society. As constituted society
has been amazingly tolerant of the
abuse heaped upon it by men who
threatened to reform it with dynamite,
ruin and death. To-day Gov. Oglesby
represents organized society. To him
the anarchists must make a plea that
may move him to withhold justice from
them and grant them mercy. He can
not be moved by demands. He would
be recreant if he were influenced by
threats. Within nine days of the hour
fixed Tor their execution can the an
archists, or any of their ends. produce
any evidence that they feel
r The Slightest Remorse
for the massacre of May 4. 1885. Fif-
teen months have passed since that
terrible night and there has not been
sign of regret from one of the anarchists
over his participation in the conspiracy
I that prepared and precipitated the
murder of the police. What words.
signs or deeds have the anarchists to
offer III behalf of an appeal for mercy?
| TheyShOuld remember that mercy is
not TO be had at the dagger's point,
which is all tn ey offer. Justice desires
their death. Upon what showing can
| SIdllt lEtill tlltiI lives!
Knowing him as | do l insist that
whatever may have been his views re-
garding the point at issue before the
supreme tribunal. there is no doubt but
| he would welcome any Intervention
which would relieve him of the dis
agreeable task before him. That he is
| prepared to meet it and decide upon the
| question brought before him with
proper regard for the welfare of society
and with justice to the condemned is
! the belief of his associates. He will
Remain at Springfield
until the matter is disposed of, and re-
ceive all respectful appeals which may
be referred to his consideration. This
is assured by his refusal to accept an
invitation to attend political meeting.
which would demand day or two of
his time. Gov. Oglesby is extremely
reticent upon the subjest of the anarch-
iSt case, and not a word has been
dropped by him in the hearing even of
any of the state officials, which would |
indicate in any way how he looks upon
it. The only person employed in the
executive office, with the exception of a
coiored janitor, is the governors son !
and private secretary. who is equally !
reticent. An old politician, who is ia
miliar with several generations of state ]
officials and who has known Coy.
Oglesby during all of his three terms in T,
the office, said: u believe old Oglesby /;
will treat that matter just as he ought |
to. think he will listen to all they I!
have to say and then he will tell them.
that they have had fair trial and have
had every chance that man could ask /
for, and that he can't see any reason for :
interfering with the law. That would /
be just like the old feller. He will
To Like CulIom. |
and did when them fellers came down /
from Chicago to get Angel out They I
sent big petition from the most prom
inent men in Chicago and old Long
Jones himself came down to get him
out. Why, they said Cullom will have
to let him out; he can't help it; there's
too much influence for him to refuse;
but Cullom didn't do it just the same I
ne Saiu' NO o1, SlidIi llot interfere
with the law [ was in CulIOm's
Office when they talked to him about if,
and he was just as firm as he could be,
and / think Oglesby will be just the
same in this case"
The views of this Informant are in
teresting, as he knows the governor
we'll, and knows what would influence
him. Gov. OgleSby has not received
any of the letters of Fischer, Lingg and
Engle, nor the long letter written few
weeks ago by Parsons, and also pub